EVANSTON, Ill. -- Seeking to raise money and awareness for a cause near and dear to Northwestern Football, the NU chapter of Uplifting Athletes on Tuesday evening staged a successful third-annual 'Lift for Life' fundraiser in Evanston.

Uplifting Athletes is an organization founded in 2003 that seeks to raise money and awareness for rare diseases. Funds raised by the Northwestern chapter of Uplifting Athletes benefit the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation; the foundation aims to find a cure for a rare neurodegenerative disease called Niemann-Pick Type C, which primarily strikes children before or during adolescence.

Ara Parseghian served as head football coach at Northwestern from 1956-63, leading the 'Cats to a No. 1 national ranking in 1962.

The Wildcats welcomed members of the Northwestern, Evanston and Chicagoland communities to the Ryan Field complex as they endured a series of speed, agility and strength competitions consistent with their summer training regimen. Afterward, the 'Cats visited with fans during a meet-and-greet picnic.

"We want to use our status as student-athletes to promote something bigger than ourselves," said junior offensive lineman Paul Jorgensen, president of the NU chapter of Uplifting Athletes. "We had some friends and family out here tonight and had a good time all around raising money for a good cause."

To donate to or learn more about the Northwestern chapter of Uplifting Athletes, visit the organization's official website.